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Welding table... another one, why not?

Well I need a table for TIG welding (that isn't made out of wood LOL )

So I looked up a bunch of different ways people were doing it, and I decided to try and keep it as budget minded as possible (which isn't easy).

I am essentially building a bottom and then attaching a table top separate just in case the table top warps or I want to go with something different in the future. I haven't decided how I will mount the top yet but it is 2'x4' 3/16 A36 hot roll since I can't afford much more than that.

The base will be inset 2" all the way around to allow for clamping room and possibility of adding a 4" or 5" vise as well. The base is comprised of 2" square 1/8" thick.

Here are a few pics:

I have a drawing of the dimensions I will post a pic of later.

Total cost into this: $258.67 At the moment, that is metal only. (Although I did run out of wire last night while welding :-( ) More pics to come!

I will definitely have some kind of hooks, and I was thinking counter sinking the screws into the frame through the top. That maybe the best idea. Once I get the base built completely I will have a better look at it. (Especially with the casters on)

One thing I notice;

You paid no attention to the direction of the seam…might matter, might not. Just something I noticed and something to think about. I know it is just 1/8” but drill and tapping it might have been an option especially with thicker tube. Not saying you can’t the way you did it, just might give you more trouble.

You paid no attention to the direction of the seam…might matter, might not. Just something I noticed and something to think about. I know it is just 1/8” but drill and tapping it might have been an option especially with thicker tube. Not saying you can’t the way you did it, just might give you more trouble.

Touche. I really did over look it. Hmm :-/ That may end up being my bottom piece then.

I have found that welding is so much faster than the drill/tap/screw/bolt approach that I rarely use fasteners in my projects if I can design things to be welded instead.

You might object and say, "But what if I want to change tops?" - think long and hard about how much time it will take to grind out/cut the old one off and weld the new one versus unbolting/unscrewing then going through the whole drill/tap exercise again on the new top.

I suspect that at worst the time will be about the same, but in reality I believe that welding is faster and easier than fasteners. Remember - you don't need a continuous weld along the entire top/frame joint - it should be an intermittent or stitch weld.

I have found that welding is so much faster than the drill/tap/screw/bolt approach that I rarely use fasteners in my projects if I can design things to be welded instead.

You might object and say, "But what if I want to change tops?" - think long and hard about how much time it will take to grind out/cut the old one off and weld the new one versus unbolting/unscrewing then going through the whole drill/tap exercise again on the new top.

I suspect that at worst the time will be about the same, but in reality I believe that welding is faster and easier than fasteners. Remember - you don't need a continuous weld along the entire top/frame joint - it should be an intermittent or stitch weld.

I do agree with you 100% but I didn't have enough to spring for a 1/2" top. I had to cut the budget somewhere :-/

My thoughts were to weld on nuts to the table base (as opposed to drill/tapping) I hate tapping things, and maybe that's just because I don't do it a lot (Although with how much I do automotive wise... I should probably get with the program hah)

I do agree also, that drilling holes accurately in this top could be more of a pain in the butt than it's worth.

Tapping...

I would not "tap" the table top. As a matter of fact, I would not tap the cross members. I would drill and counter sink the top and drill the cross members to match for self-tapping fasteners...My 2 cents...again.